SA329 & 272/5 (96 ov)
AUS429
BAN272 & 79/6 (29 ov)
WI245
NAM50/5 (15.5/50 ov, target 299)
IRE298/8
ABH0
ITT0
NEU
BFC
DIR
NEOM
HAC
PSG
NICE
REN
SHA
AHL
ELV
M05
VIL
ESP
LILL
RCL
NZ259/7
IND172/9 (20 ov, target 260)
Fiorentina2
Atalanta2
Al Nassr5
Al Kholood3
Al Riyadh0
Al Qadsiah6
DEN
JER
RHINO215
MOUNT82/1 (18/50 ov, target 216)
EAGLE37/3 (11/50 ov, target 275)
TUSK274/9
SOA154 & 182/1 (48 ov, target 422)
WA406/5d & 169
TAS335/5 (96 ov)
NSW
Omn19
AFG19
UAE
NED
PAK
SL
AS-W
MS-W
PS-W
MR-W
BRB
VAG
ND
AUCK
OTAGO
CD
WELL
CANT
AFG221/7
ZIM202/5 (20 ov, target 222)
ENG386/5
OMA196
BH-W154/5
SS-W157/6 (20 ov, target 155)
HH-W174/8 (20 ov, target 193)
Frosinone5
Lecce1
Al Khaleej4
Al Hazem2
Grêmio2
Athletico-PR0
For millions of Indian football fans who couldn’t afford expensive streaming subscriptions, this is the news they’ve been waiting for. India’s iconic public broadcaster is stepping up to ensure no one misses the biggest sporting event on the planet.
Doordarshan (DD Sports) is set to telecast the FIFA World Cup 2026 matches live across India — completely free-to-air. And the story of how it happened is just as fascinating as the announcement itself.
Doordarshan Key Details at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Tournament | FIFA World Cup 2026 |
| Host Nations | USA, Canada & Mexico |
| Teams | 48 (biggest edition ever) |
| Total Matches | 104 |
| India Broadcaster | Doordarshan / DD Sports |
| Cost to Viewers | Free-to-Air |
| Match Timings (IST) | Late night / Early morning |
Why Private Broadcasters Backed Off
Private broadcasters avoided bidding for the tournament’s media rights largely due to inconvenient timing concerns — most matches will begin late at night or during early morning hours for Indian viewers, raising fears of lower television ratings.
Advertising revenue concerns further reduced private interest. FIFA initially demanded nearly $100 million for India broadcast rights, later reducing expectations to around $30 million. However, Reliance-Disney valued the rights at less than $20 million — the huge valuation gap prevented any agreement. Sony Pictures Networks also stayed away entirely.
That’s when Prasar Bharati — Doordarshan’s parent body — stepped in to save the day.
A Massive Win for Indian Football Fans
DD Sports reaches millions of households through free-to-air television services, meaning fans can now watch the tournament without expensive subscriptions or streaming packages. This could significantly increase accessibility for viewers in smaller towns and rural areas, and may prevent a complete blackout of the tournament in India.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest edition in football history, featuring 48 teams and 104 matches across North America. Despite India not qualifying, the tournament remains hugely popular — with Argentina, Brazil, Portugal, France, and England enjoying massive support among Indian fans.
For Indian football fans and FIFA World Cup 2026 coverage, follow Technosports for the latest updates, schedules, and match previews.
